Google Search

Arsenal target admits ‘England is my dream’

Granit Xhaka has once again got the rumour mill going, with his latest comments hinting at a potential switch to the Premier League this summer, as reported by Blick (via talkSPORT).

The Swiss international has been linked with a move away from Borussia Monchengladbach recently, and it looked at one point like he might make a switch in January. The transfer window came and went though, with Xhaka still in the Bundesliga.

Having been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, he’s now once again stirring the pot, and it’s clear that eventually the 23-year-old hopes to end up in England.

“England is my dream. I have never hid that,” the Switzerland international told Blick.

“For me money is not important. I do not come from a money-hungry family, but from one with firm character.

“If I make a change it is important that I make a step forward in the sport.”

Don't Miss:

He’s unquestionably a talented midfielder, although whether he’d be suited to Arsenal and the Premier League is questionable. He’s not the most mobile of players, which can be hugely detrimental in the English top flight. Slow midfielders and ageing players often need the right set-up to thrive in England, and at Arsenal we certainly don’t have it – as evidenced by the struggles of Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta.

With an emphasis put on attacking football, we need our midfielders to have decent recovery. This is something Francis Coquelin – and to some extent Aaron Ramsey – have shown in abundance, but Xhaka may not have. He’s slightly more of a luxury player, and in the modern game you can’t afford to carry any passengers. Even Mesut Özil is expected to get stuck in and do the dirty work at times, so pure brilliance and talent doesn’t automatically grant you a free ride.

The report suggests Liverpool are the favourites to sign Xhaka this summer, and as long as we do some business of our own, fans shouldn’t be too disappointed to see him make a move to Anfield – or anywhere for that matter.